Fixture

Caernarfon Youth 56 v 13 COBRA Youth

Having to put the disappointment of the postponement of their Welsh plate game against Penallta to one side, it was back to domestic duties for Caernarfon on Saturday when they welcomed COBRA to the Morfa.

Fielding a very strong squad anticipation was high that a positive result would be achieved, despite encountering a team that had previously held local rivals Pwllheli to a very creditable draw.

In favourable playing conditions the game commenced with the home side encamped in the visitors half. Despite this territorial advantage possession was limited, as COBRA kept ball in hand in an attempt to drive out of their half. On ten minutes however a penalty to the home side was quickly taken and saw some swift passes take the ball cross-field where flanker Dafydd Thirsk was on hand to open the Cofis account.

The kick off soon saw the visitors back in their opponents half and a series of strong carries by the formidable Caernarfon forwards soon provided the space for their backs to exploit, on this occasion winger Owain Williams squeezing in near the corner flag.

Of the two teams it was now apparent that Caernarfon had settled the better and it was barely moments before they had added to their tally when, again following good work by the forwards, No 8. Llew Williams was on hand to take the final pass and crash over in the corner.

Despite the three try advantage it was evident that the visitors were a very well drilled outfit, best exhibited from the kick off where pressure on the receiver allowed them to exert a period of intense pressure on the home sides try line. Something, eventually, had to give and the visitors were rewarded with a seven pointer under the posts, thus reducing the deficit to eight points.

Caernarfon's response was almost immediate and some excellent phase play resulted in a scrum within metres of the visitors try line. Sensing another score, a series of forward drives eventually found the ball with hooker Cai Griffiths who crashed over under the posts, thus securing the first bonus point of the day.

The kick off produced the best passage of play of the game when a scintillating break by impressive scrum half Rhys Williams, accompanied by some swift passes by the support, allowed winger Jack Davies the space to sprint in at the corner. This, unconverted try, proved to be the last play of the half giving the home side an impressive 27- 5 lead.

The second half started with Caernarfon on the back foot, eventually conceding a penalty in front of their posts. The visitors, somewhat suprisingly given the score, elected to take the three points and slightly reduce their deficit.

With the advantage of the slope it soon became apparent that the visitors would be making the long trip home empty handed, when, again excellent phase play was capped by a customary break by powerful second row Samiwel Williams and culminating with him opening his account under the visitors posts.

With this score seeming to have finally knocked the stuffing out of their opponents it was again winger Davies' turn to get on the score sheet when an excellent break by centre Sunny Start and a perfectly timed pass by his counterpart Josh Eden provided him the space and time to cross over in the corner.

Caernarfon, playing with a surety that was missing in their previous match, were clearly in a scoring mood, and within the space of a minute had extended their lead, on this occasion a long pass across the back line leaving flanker Morgan Roberts an easy run in at the corner flag.

It is much to the visitors credit that the next score was to be theirs, further pressure by the forwards resulting in a five pointer near the home sides corner flag.

With the outcome not in doubt, however,and the Cofis seemingly intent on playing an expansive game there was still time for another two scores, the first by man of the match Cai Griffiths ( completing his brace ) and the final, possibly best try of the day when an excellent break by winger Davies, ably supported by winger Williams saw him power over under the posts.

This score saw the referee bring an end to proceedings and a comfortable 56 - 13 victory to the home side. With the Welsh cup game against Penallta within their sights this was a much improved performance by Caernarfon, in particular with regard to the defensive frailties that were exposed by their previous opponents, Wrexham.

Match report provided by John Eden Jones